The plan to build a new hotel on the corner of Tay and Kelvin Sts was revealed yesterday at the second day of a resource consent hearing for HWCP Management Ltd.
The company is seeking a approval of a resource consent to demolish and build a largely retail precinct in the block bounded by Tay, Dee, Esk and Kelvin Sts.
HWCP chairman Scott O'Donnell said at this stage the hotel was just a concept, but HWCP planned to build a seven-storey complex with about 120 rooms.
''We are trying to create vibrancy in the CBD. The most growing cities have lots of hotel accommodation in their CBD and this creates vibrancy.''
HWCP director Geoffrey Thomson agreed.
''We have inadequate number of rooms to meet the demand ... But I would say it would take five years to kick off.''
Invercargill Licensing Trust chief executive Chris Ramsay said he was aware of the plans for a new hotel.
The trust itself is building a $40million hotel on the corner of Dee and Don Sts to be called The Langlands. Construction is due to be completed by October 2021.
''It [the HWCP hotel] came to my radar one week ago. We and Geoff (Thomson) had a pretty good discussion,'' Mr Ramsay said.
''His objectives and ours are aligned, in the sense he wants what is the best for the city, just as we do.''
He said it was possible the ILT could be involved as well in that development.
''But at the end day it's still got to stack up, that is the critical part.''
